BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Two women allege the Bellingham Police Department (BPD) did not do enough to protect them from domestic abuse committed by one of its officers.

Amanda DeBruin’s trial against the BPD began earlier this week in Whatcom County Superior Court.

KGMI previously reported that her ex-husband, Brooks Laughlin, was found guilty on several counts of domestic abuse in December 2018. DeBruin claims that prior to his initial arrest in February 2018, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office had notified BPD about Laughlin’s behavior.

Her lawsuit states that despite additional evidence being submitted over the course of a year, the BPD didn’t take any action against Laughlin until his arrest.

Laughlin’s initial 8-year sentence was reduced in 2021, and he was released from prison in 2023.

DeBruin is seeking $5 million in damages from the BPD.

Kyla Laughlin, another ex-wife of Laughlin with whom he shares three children, joined the lawsuit as a plaintiff and is asking for $1 million.